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Defending champs defeat Hawley in state 2A baseball quarterfinals

ST. CLOUD — The Hawley Nuggets (18-7) stranded the tying run in scoring position with the bases loaded in their final at-bats dropping a 5-3 loss in the Minnesota Class 2A quarterfinals to the defending state champions Kasson-Mantorville (22-4) Thursday.

Hawley built a 3-2 lead scoring once in the second inning and twice in the fourth. Kody Crabtree had all three RBIs for the Nuggets.

The KoMets tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on a base hit by Kyle Nichols scoring Nic Bauer.

Parker Hanson walked the first two Komet batters in the sixth inning and the KoMets would take advantage scoring pinch runner Aaron Berge and designated hitter Brendan Knoll for the win.

Hayden Sheeran induced a comebacker from Drew Thompson with the bases full of Nuggets and two away for the final out.

Sheeran picked up the victory throwing 3 ⅔ innings in relief of starter Collin Ripley. Sheeran allowed no hits and struck out four.

Parker Hanson pitched all six innings for Hawley allowing five runs, three earned, on seven hits, four walks. Hanson fanned two.

The Nuggets stranded nine runners on base in the game.

Kyle Nichols had two hits and two RBIs to lead Kasson-Mantorville at the plate. Clute and Crabtree had two hits apiece for Hawley.

Kasson-Mantorville outhit Hawley 7-6.

Hawley will play the loser of Aitkin and Fairmont in the consolation bracket Friday at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud at 10. a.m.